The renaissance of JoJo continues. Last year, the former teen-pop star returned to the spotlight with the release of re-recorded versions of her early records in a risky gambit that — considering the streaming numbers for her 2018 reworkings of hits like “Leave (Get Out)” — paid dividends. This year, she’s released the smoky, mature new singles “Joanna” and “Sabotage,” two spiky and compelling R&B tracks that reintroduce JoJo as a contemporary of earthy pop singers like Summer Walker and Jorja Smith. Today, The FADER is premiering the video for CHIKA collab “Sabotage,” a camp, surreal journey through JoJo’s psyche. Of the video, directed by James Larese, JoJo tells The FADER:
The video starts with me getting kicked out of my boyfriend’s apartment with a suitcase in hand. The 2000s video-game-looking heart inside of it shatters to symbolize the total destruction of the relationship. We follow me as I make my way through downtown L.A., contemplating patterns and my part in the end of the relationship — it’s over and it’s my fault!! Although we can’t really “ruin” anything that isn’t meant for us, our egos can make us believe we’re all mighty enough to ruin everything. The city crumbles behind me and shows externally how I felt inside while I was writing the song. As I continue on, I shed layers of clothing, needing to figuratively and literally let things go. I meet CHIKA in the middle of the city and we both find ourselves in a state of introspection. The end of the year is a time we’re all evaluating where/who/what we are — and plan to move forward with freshness and positivity into 2020.
Watch “Sabotage” above.
